Athenry’s mediaeval walls and heritage are set to benefit from Government funding, as is the mediaeval heritage of Loughrea.
A grant of €25,000 has been awarded to the Galway County Council for the Athenry Town Walls Capital Works Project. The grant will enable the repair and consolidation of the south wall part of the town’s mediaeval defences.
In addition, the Heritage Council has awarded €12,000 to the county council to undertake a feasibility study to develop a walkway around Athenry’s town walls, to help realise the potential for improvement in understanding, access, and appreciation of the town’s history. The council has also received funding to support Athenry Virtual Walled Town Day 2021.
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Loughrea Priory.
Athenry was founded by Anglo-Norman lord, Meyler de Bermingham in the 1240s, while Loughrea was founded by Anglo-Norman knight, Richard de Burgo, in 1236, and Loughrea has also benefited from these funds.
The Loughrea Virtual Medieval Festival 2021 was awarded a grant of €15,000 to provide an online medieval festival to showcase and create a greater awareness of the mediaeval heritage of Loughrea.
The grants have been welcomed by Independent Galway East TD, Seán Canney. “I am delighted for the two towns,” he said, “and I commend the Galway County Council and the local committees for their endeavours on these great projects.”
